lorry Question?

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splatty

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Due to such big increases in running a 4x4 we are considering swapping in our 4x4 and trailer and getting a horse lorry. We would be looking at 7.5tonn carries 2/3 horses, could anybody enlighten on the good makes ie in parts, reliability and maybe the ones not to touch with bargepole, i do remember someone saying about certain make and getting hold of parts really hard as not made anymore. Any info/tips would be greatly appreciated and sorry if this has been asked upteen times before.
 
Iveco, DAF and M.A.N. are about the best chassis for reliability and easy for getting parts, volvo are a heavy chassis reducing your payload and are expensive for parts as is mercedes ( which are really too springy and roll quite a bit not giving the horses the best ride) . Renault - dont bother - not particularly reliable and tend to corrode quickly on the cab. Service History is a must - especially if it has higher mileage. It needs to have been very well maintained and serviced on a regular basis, and lastly get it weighed on a minsitry calibrated weighbridge before purchase, so you know what your payload will be.
 
I've never had any problems with the reliability of my Ford Cargo for parts etc, let alone the reliability of the lorry! Just bought a leyland and am now dreading getting used to a new vehicle and building trust in it.... which sadly means my Cargo has got to go!
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i have a ford cargo ... really reliable and really easy to get parts for. i would avoid dodges, not particularly reliable and really hard to get parts for!
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Watch out with the Mercedes , they tend to be a bit wobbly and shaky!
Pathelshoice is spot on, (OH does hboxes) they are best manufacturers about for 7.5tonne
 
i'm on my 2nd cargo, very very reliable. it's never cheap at annual service time, but that's probably because i tell the mechanics that i want it perfect because i don't want to get stranded anywhere. it runs beautifully, very easy to drive, pulls well up hills.
my last cargo was a downrated 10 tonner, with a 6 speed gearbox not five, and it was a nightmare gearbox, plus chassis was heavier, so avoid one of those.
as regards manufacturers, there are certain reputable ones, and certain i wouldn't touch with the proverbial... pm me for name of one or two no-goes if you want.
make sure the floor is really really sound, there was a terrible accident last year with horse going through floor.
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i posted the comments below a while ago when another forum member was looking for tips re: lorry purchase - hopefully this will help you-

Stick to looking at the main 3 chassis - Iveco (not ford cargo) , DAF 45 -150 ( the 130 is a great engine but can be gutless - the 150 BHP is superior), and M.A.N. ( dont forget the M.A.N chassis is around 300 kilos heavier than Iveco and DAF) - we dont rate Renault for reliability reasons, Mercedes are expensive for parts and roll quite a bit giving the horses sealegs, and Volvo although good trucks are again expensive for parts and are a very heavy chassis on 7.5 tonne basis.

Go and view quite a few vehicles and you will get a feel for what is value for money and build quality etc. Ideally coachbuilt lorries will always realise more money - especially for resale, and are lighter than a conversion.

Look to see if the cab tilts - and where it tilts - if the tilt is designed to go through the front of the luton (an older way of tilting) check for signs of leakage. If the cab is fixed then make sure an inspection panel and bonnet has been cut away below the passenger seats for easier engine access .

I would take a diesel mechanic with you - when you have found a suitable vehicle - always go for full service history - the mileage is not too much of an issue as long as the vehicle has been well maintained, the engine is designed to be running up and down motorways so when a vehicle becomes a horsebox it goes into "retirement".

Spend time looking at the underneath of the lorry to check for areas of corrosion - take a sharp pointed stick with you and lift up the mats in the horse area and have a real good poke around especially where the floor meets the body and in the corners.

Raise and lower the ramp - listen to the springs - and see where they are located - ideally the ramp should be undersprung ( springs underneath the ramp at the bottom) and give the ramp a jump up and down (on when lowered) and again check for signs of corrosion.

Ask for appiances to be turned on ie fridge, heating etc - see if you can smell gas - gas bottles should be housed on the external in a well ventilated compartment or on a floating stowage.

Check for signs of leakage- and feel the walls - its not unusual to have condensation at this tme of year but anything more than that will mean a leaky lorry.

There are companies listed in horse and hound who will check the vehicle for you - dont buy in haste and then find you have a total death trap- you are travelling your most precious cargo - usually horses and children so it has to be safe and well built.

Work out your capacity you need and then get a weight certificate for the lorry, make sure it is weighed on a calibrated weighbridge - with partitions on - so at least you know you are legal when laden. 7.5 tonne means it can carry no more than 7.5 tonne no matter what.

Good luck
 
I am no lorry expert at all. But have to say, my Ford Cargo 0811 is super! She is an old girl on an old x plate, but zipped through her plating last year. It is a super lorry and I love it to bits. Toucing wood, she starts first time every time even over the winter months.
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I keep hearing that cargos are hard to get parts for, but as some of the others have said in this thread, have never had a problem.

I wonder if it's one to add to the urban myths
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I think it depends on the part that your looking for with the cargos.
My friend had a problem getting a new gear box for her lorry but has had no problem getting other parts (new break valves etc)
 
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